Mechanism for operating jail-doors.



No. 806,960. y PATENTED DEG. 12, 1905. W. BOWLING.

MEGHANISM POR OPERATING .TAIL DOORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1905.

' l 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED DEO. 12, 1905.

W. BOWLING. MECHANISM FOR OPERATING JAIL DOORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1905. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 806,960. PATENTED DEO. 12, 1905.

W. BOWLING. MEOHANISM POR OPERATING JAIL DOORS.

APPLICATION PILED MAY 25, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNiTED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

VVILLIM DOWLING, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IVIECHANISNI FOR OPERATING dAlL-DOORS.

Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

Application filed May J 1905. Serial No. 262,206.

My invention relates to mechanism for locking, unlocking, closing, andopening the doors of jail-cells, and has for its object to providesimple, positive, and inexpensive means for enabling one or more doorsof a series of cells to be closed and locked or unlocked and opened fromthe outside of the cell and corridors thereto independently of theotherv doors in .l the series.

The invention consists in features of novelty, as hereinafter describedand claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart of this specification, where- Figure 1 is a side sectionalelevation of my improved mechanism, taken on line 1 1 in Fig. 3, asapplied toa cell-door in its closed and locked position; Fig. 2, asimilar view to Fig. l, showing the door unlocked by the mechanism; Fig.3, a vertical transverse section, to enlarged scale, through themechanism on line 3 3 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 a top plan of the same; Fig.5, an end elevation of the operating mechanism seen to the left in Fig.l, and Fig. 6 a top plan view of the sprocket wheels and chain formingpart of the same.

Like letters and numerals of reference denote like parts in all thefigures.

vthe top of the cell a and extending over the' entire series thereof.

To the plate c, at each end thereof, are pivoted two opposite rollers 2,(one on each side,) which are peripherally supported on flanged tracksor guideways 3, fixed along the floor of the box d adjacent to each sideo`f the slot 1, whereby the plate c, with the door is adapted to travelalong the box d.

The plate c is formed at the top with`a rearwardly-extendedhorizontal'portion 4, Figs. 3 and 4, having an outervertically-dependent anged portion 5, which is opposite and parallel tothe plate c, the portions 4 and 5 overhanging a shaft e, which isarranged horizontally within and along the box Z over the entire seriesof cells a and is preferably supported and guided and adapted to be-moved longitudinally between rollers f, which are axially mounted inbearings 6, formed `in brackets 7, fixed to the overhanging portions 4and 5 of the plate o, or the rollers fmay be otherwise mounted Vforsupporting and guiding the shaft e, as found most suitable, or in lieuof'rollers the shaft e may be supported and guided in bearings fixed tothe plate c or wall of the box d. f

vvertically through the horizontal portion 4 of the plate c, preferablymidway between its ends, and immediately over the shaft e is formed acircular hole 8, (see particularly Fig. 3,) through which is adapted toslide a bolt g, having a friction-roller 9 pivoted thereto at its upperend and bearing normally on its periphery against the under side of ahorizontal stationary bar it, which is preferably channel-shaped incross-section, arranged longitudinally within the box d over each cellc, and fixed at each end to a bracket 10, projecting from the wall ofthe box d. Vertically through the bar fr, adjacent to each end thereof,is formed an opening 11, which is adapted to allow free passagetherethrough of the roller 9 and upper end of the bolt g, the end edgesof the openings 11 being beveled outwardly from the top side of the barand the distance between the openings 11 equal to that between theclosed and open positions of the door 6.

The lower end of the bolt g beneath the horizontal portion 4 of theplate o is rounded and adapted to enter a circular hole 12, formed inthe shaft e, and lthrough the bolt g, adjacent to its rounded end, isformed a slot 13,

Fig. 3, which is engaged by the inner arm 14 v of a lever z' of thefirst order, fulcru med to a bracket 15, which is fixed to the outsideof the flanged portion 5 of the plate c, the other arm 16 of the leverz' havinga counterbalanceweight 17.

Bearing on and slidable along the upper side of the channel bar /Lbetween its upright flanges 7L is aflat bar j,vin the under bearing sideof which, near each end, is formed a concave recess, 18 (18',) whichcorresponds in contour to the periphery of the friction-roller-Q of thebolt g, the corners or junctions of the recesses 18 18 with the straightportion of the bar j being rounded, whereby when the roller 9, with theupper end portion of the bolt g, is projected through one of the open-IOO IOS

IIO

ings 11 in the bar /L and into the corresponding recess 18, as seen inFigs. 1 and 3, on moving the bar j longitudinally along the bar it inthe direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 the rounded corner of therecess 18 will bear on the periphery of the roller 9 and constrain anddepress the bolt g into engagement with the hole 12 in the shaft eagainst the resistance of the lever t' and counterbal-l ance-weight 17until the apex of the roller 9 is alined to the bar z or in the positionseen in Fig. 2, as hereinafter more particularly referred to, thedistancebetween the two recesses 18 18 being equal to that between theopenings 11 in the bar /z and the-open and closed position of the doorb.

Across the bar j and'pivoted to the upright iianges t of the bar /L arefriction-rollers 19, which bear peripherally on the top of the bar j forholding it in place against the upward pressure of the bolt g when itsroller 9 is engaged in either of the recesses 18 18.

The bar j' is coupled at one end to a lever t of the second order, whichis fulcrumed to a shaft 20, mounted in bearings 20', fixed on the floorof the box d.

On the shaft 20, preferably at right angles to the lever la, is fixed anarm Z, which is coupled at its outer free end to the upright lockbar mof the door the lock-bar m passing freely through the floor of the box dinto a vertically-arranged casing n, lixed to the front Wall of the cellt and having an opening or keeper 21 near its lower end, through whichthe projecting end portion of the cross-bar 22 of the door Z) isadapted-to pass, the said end portion having a notch 23 in its upperedge, which is engaged by the lower end of the lockbar m in the closedposition of the door which 'is thereby locked, as seen in Fig. 1.

The bar j is engaged at its other end by the free end of an arm 0, whichis fulcrumed on l a shaft 24, mounted in bearings 25, fixed on the floorof the box ci', the arm 0 having a counterbalance-weight 26.

To the free end of the lever 7c is attached one end ofA a wire, cord, orchain p, which extends to one end of the series of cells o and isprovided thereat with a knob or handle 27 within reach of the operatorand normally held, preferably by a slot 28, formed in the upper edge ofa vertically-arranged plate g, fixed to the end of ahorizontal shank 29,which is supported and slidable longitudinally in bearings 30, fixed tothe wall of the box d, the shank 29 having a slotway 31 therethroughengaged by the arm 32 of a lever r of the first order,which is fulcrumedto a bracket 33, fixed to the outside of the end wall 34 of the cell a,the other arm 35 of the lever 7 depending from the fulcrum 33 and formedwith a handle within reach of the operator.

For moving the shaft e longitudinally in either direction for a distanceequal to that between the open and closed position of the door b Ipreferably use two horizontally-arranged sprocket-wheels s s', coupledto each other by the sprocket-chain t and having their upright spindles36 and 37, respectively, mounted in bearings-38, fixed to the floor ofthe box CZ, the spindle 36 of the sprocket-wheel s extending downward ata suitable distance from the end Wall 34 of the cell a and having alower bearing 39 formed in a bracket o, which projects from the wall 34.

On the lower end of the spindle 36 is fixed a bevel-wheel fw, which isengaged by a bevel wheel or pinion w', fixed on a horizontal shaft 40,mounted in bearings 41, formed in the bracket o, and having at one end ahandle a'. The shaft e is xed at its end in proximity to thesprocket-wheel s to one of the links of the chain t, whereby on partlyrotating the sprocket-wheel s in opposite directions the shaft e isreciprocated longitudinally to a distance corresponding to the requiredmovements of the door the -distance between the centers of thesprocket-wheels s s being arranged accordingly, with that side of thechain t which is fastened to the shaft parallel to said shaft e at alltimes.

The end of the box (l with the adjacent sprocket-wheel .5^ and othercombined operating parts of the mechanism are preferably inclosed in anend box d', (indicated by broken lines in Fig. 1,) whereby tamperingwith or damage to the mechanism is prevented, the whole being underlockand key, controlled by the warden or operator in charge.

In operation, assuming the door I) to be closed and locked by thelock-bar m, as seen in Fig. 1, in which position of the parts the bolt gis out of engagement with the shaft e and its roller 9 projectingthrough the opening 11 of the bar It, engaged in the recess 18 of thebar j, when it is desired to unlock and open the door theoperating-lever r is first thrown over by its handle 35 so as to movethe wire-holding plate q by its shank 29 into the position indicated bybroken lines in Fig. 1, when the plate q, pulling on the wire p, throwsthe lever 7c into the position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 1 andby full lines in Fig. 2. This causes the bar j' to be moved along-thebar /zy in the direction of the arrow, and in so doing the roundedshoul- 'der of the recess 18, engaged by the roller 9,

bears on the periphery of the latter and forces it, with the bolt g,downward through the opening 11 against the resistance of the lever z'and counterbalance-weight 17 (seen in Figs. 3 and 4) until the apex ofthe roller 9 is alined to the bar the lower end of the bolt g meanwhileentering the hole 12 in the shaft e, which is thereby held to the -doorAt the same time the arm Z on the shaft 2() of the lever raises thelock-bar m from the bar 22 of the door I), which is thereby unlocked. Bythen partly rotating the sprocket-wheels s s' and chain t by the handleand intermediate IOS IIS

latter, as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2."

In the meantime on releasing the operatinglever r the plate g with thewire p, lever l?, and bar j are returned to their original position, asin Fig.y l, by the arm and its counterbalance-weight 26, so that whenthe bolt g reaches the open position of the door b it will be disengagedfrom the shaft e and its roller 9 forced through the other opening l1 inthe bar It thereat into engagement with the corresponding recess 18 inthe bar y' by the lever c' and counterbalance-weight 17.

For closing and locking the door the lever 7s is again thrown over intothe position shown by full lines in Fig. 2, thereby causing the bar j,as before described, to force the bolt g into engagement with the shafte, which is thereby held to the door b, when by partly rotating thesprocket-wheelsss in the opposite direction to the arrow seen in Fig. 6the door is returned to its closed position, and the lever lc being nowreleased and returned to the dotted position seen in Fig. 2 by the arm 0and its counterbalance-weight 26 the lockbar m is thrown into engagementwith the cross-bar 22 of the door 6, which is thereby locked.

y Each door of the entire series of cells ct is equipped with its ownbolt g for connecting and disconnecting the door b to and from the shafte, combined with its own locking devices operated by the wire or cord p,as above described, independent of that part of the mechanisln whichmoves the shaft e longitudinally for opening and closing all the doorsof the series, whereby either of the doors b can be operated while theothers remain normal or stationary-that is to say, assuming all thedoors to be closed and locked by the bar m, with their operating-wires pout of engagement with the plate q and held at their outer ends orhandles 27 in slots (or otherwise) formed in a fixed part of thecell-box d adjacent to the plate Q, as indicated by broken lines in Fig.1, and it being desired to operate, say, the door Z) (shown in Figs. 1and 2) independent of-the others the operating-wire v p thereof ishitched to or engaged with the plate q, while the wires p, respectively,of the other doors remain disengaged from the plate g, whereby thesedoors are unaffected by the movement of the plate g and remain closed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with ajail-cell door, of a travel therewith along the front of the cell, ashaft located above and longitudinally with the door beneath anoverhanging portion of the said plate and having a circumferential hole,bearings for the shaft, a bolt adapted to slide vertically through thesaid portion into and out of engagement with the said hole, a leverfulcrumed to the said portion and engaging the said bolt, the said leverhaving a counterbalance-weight, a stationary bar located above andlongitudinally with the shaft beneath the said portion and having twoopenings vertically therethrough at points corresponding to the closedand open positions respectively of the door, a slidable bar bearing onthe stationary bar and having two concave recesses in its bearing-facecorresponding to the said openings and adapted therewith to be engagedby the said bolt, means for moving the slidable bar along the stationarybar and for moving the shaft longitudinally, substantially as described.

2. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with ajail-cell door, of a hanger-plate Xed thereto and adapted to traveltherewith along the front of the cell, a shaft located above andlongitudinally with the door beneath an overhanging portion of the saidplate and having a circumferential hole, bearings for the shaft, a boltadapted to slide vertically through the said portion into and out ofengagement with the said hole, a lever fulcrumed to the said portion andengaging the said bolt, the said lever having a counterbalanceweight, astationary bar located above and longitudinally with they shaft beneaththe said portion and having two openings vertically therethrough atpoints corresponding to the open and closed positions respectively ofthe door, a slidable bar bearing on the stationary bar and having twoconcave recesses in its` bearing-face corresponding to the said openingsand adapted therewith to be engaged by the said bolt, a lever of thesecond order coupled to one end of the slidable bar and fulcrumed toashaft mounted in suitable bearings, an arm on the said shaft, alock-bar depending from the said arm and adapted to engage in aprojection on the door,

hanger-plate xed thereto and adapted to IOO an arm engaging with theother end of the slidable bar and fulcrumed to a spindle having suitablebearings, the said arm having a counterbalance-weight, a wire extendingfrom the free end of the Said lever of the second order, and means forholding and operating the said wire from a suitable part of the jail,substantially as described.

3. In mechanism of the character described, the combination with ajail-cell door, of a hanger plate fixed thereto and adapted to traveltherewith along the front of the cell, a shaft located above andlongitudinally with the door beneath an overhanging portion of the saidplate and having a circumferential hole, bearings for the shaft, a boltadapted to slide vertically through the said portion and to be engagedWith and disengaged from the said hole, two sprocket-Wheels axiallymounted in bearings, a chain engaged by the said Wheels, the said shaftbeing fixed at one end to the said chain, and means for partly rotatingthe said Wheels, substantially as described.

4. In mechanism of the character described,

the combination With a jail-cell door` of a hangerplate fixed theretoand adapted to travel therewith along the front of the cell, a shaftlocated above and longitudinally With the door beneath an overhangingportion of WILLIAM DOWLING.

Witnesses:

MARY D. WHITCOMB, EDWARD W. FURRELL.

